BRITAIN'S only disabled model to appear in a UK pageant final is determined to blaze a trail across the beauty world.

Katie Knowles hopes to inspire a young generation of those suffering with disability

Katie Knowles, 24, will make history as she struts down the catwalk of Miss North East GB on July 31.

The aspiring lawyer, from Jesmond, Newcastle, was struck down with a rare spinal condition as a teenager.

She was left permanently disabled aged just 15 with a disc degenerative disease and spinal stenosis.

But, the courageous young role model is determined to prove her disability does not hold her back.

Katie is set to walk onto the catwalk with her 'glamstick' crutch and she knows how important her role in the pageant could be.

She said: "I'm really excited to be involved. I'm hoping to break down barriers and change perceptions of not just beauty pageants but disabled people.

"If I can get it across to just one girl or one guy that they can get involved in this sort of thing and they have an equal chance of winning, then all of the stress around buying a dress will be worth it!"

Katie has had to overcome a number of hurdles since her battle against her crippling disease began.